Dark Layers Volume 2: Dark Layers

by Gray, A L

  Holy shit! That is just the gist of it! Elijah did assign me to the Timothy Allen case, it's not personally mine! The sneaky Bastard! He only did this to keep you close because he likes you, jeez! Romantic? I'm not sure. I'm not sure I even like the fact that he's deliberately trapped me. I huff in annoyance at how much of a rollercoaster life has been since I met him, but, what the hell am I suppose to do about it now?

  I quickly shower and change my pyjamas. Once I'm refreshed, I drag myself back to Derek and lie with him on the sofa - allowing myself to fall into a deep and needed unconscious state - Elijah and his obscure ways will still be here when I wake up.

  SATURDAY CAME AND WENT. It was thankfully uneventful. I have heard nothing from Elijah but I know he's hanging his silent treatment out to taunt me. I find it funny really because I will not be contacting him - I'll see him Monday as he said.

  - At God knows what time, I wake to excessive banging at my door and completely crap my pants. I sit up in a frenzy.

  "Derek, wake up!" I scream, almost pushing him off of my bed.

  "Are you okay Anile, what's wrong - have you had another nightmare?"

  "No, no nightmare," I point with trembling fingers, "the front door. Someone was banging at it."

  He's on his feet and charging out of my bedroom and towards the front door before me. I quickly register the dawn upon us. Damn it's early, too early for a Sunday. I should be sleeping until at least noon.

  Derek opens the door in full force and is ready for whoever is trying to torment me - I'm hidden behind him like the chicken shit that I am.

  "What the fuc... - who are you?" He snaps.

  "Jezebel," I say astounded, "what are you doing? Why are you here and banging on my door like a lunatic?"

  She storms past Derek and I into my living area. Cheeky cow!

  "So, it is true then." She snaps.

  "What?" I ask confused as I follow her, "why are you wet?" I wonder because her deep brown hair is dripping wet but her bright red trench coat is bone dry, along with the rest of her clothes. I stare out of my window and try to see if it has been raining; I'm sure it hasn’t - nope, it's dry outside.

  "Are you with my husband?" She says.

  "What?" I mutter.

  Dark flashes of Elijah's Wikipedia search flood my mind. Jezebel - his current wife! The idea that she is Jezebel Darks never even crossed my mind. She looks to young. I imagined he would be with an older woman - or at least a woman who looks older than eighteen!

  "You have got to be kidding me." I gasp to myself but she takes it as sarcasm aimed at her.

  "I am in no mood for your idiotic self-serving questions. Answer my question before I lose it Anile!" She snaps.

  "No, I'm not with him, why?"

  "Well he has reinstated you back into Darks Lawyers; he chases you like a love sick puppy and judging by the thousands of pounds spent on flowers that pool throughout your apartment - that he had me fucking order," she waves her crazy hands around, motioning the flowers, "I am guessing this is one of his most thoughtful gestures. You two must be together! I am no idiot Anile!"

  She grabs me and pushes me against the wall.

  "Ouch, you're hurting me." I say in a trembling voice. Her nails are digging deep into my arms and she's squeezing me like I'm a lemon.

  "Do not test me Anile. He is mine and if you do not leave him alone, you will fucking pay!" She screams in my face.

  Derek grabs her off of me and throws her to the ground. She falls hard - I'm only thankful that she lands on carpet! It's all happening so fast - I feel dizzy. I stand on shaky legs and words fail me because of her vicious attack.

  "You don't scare me, pretty boy! I will also deal with you to!" She says to Derek and he absolutely loses it.

  "If you do not get your skinny little arse out of Anile's apartment, I will throw you out the fucking window! Also, touch her again and I will slap you silly!" He screams.

  "Jezebel, I didn't know you are his wife - I swear!" I implore, standing behind Derek.

  "He is someone's husband, what does it matter who's?"

  Her words wound me, she's right.

  "You are right." I say, hanging my head in shame.

  "No she bloody is not Anile! She is divorcing him, so he's fare game!" Derek snaps.

  "Is that what you really believe?" She asks serious while rising to her feet, "if I was divorcing him then why am I here trying to fight you off him?" She leaves her question in the air to linger like a bad smell, "And why am I wet? Because that is how Elijah gets his kicks," she smiles viciously, "if his women disobey him, he throws them repeatedly into hot or cold water until he believes they have suffered enough."

  I almost faint at her insight. My vision goes blurry and my head feels light.

  "Derek." I whisper.

  Thankfully he catches me by my waist before my legs completely give way.

  "You need to leave." Derek urges, addressing Jezebel.

  "No wait," I beg, "why does it publicly state that you are divorcing him?" I ask, desperate to know.

  "Ask him." She says.

  I try to swallow but my throat is dry.

  "I have seen what's been going on Anile. I'm no fool. Do you know how painful it is to be near your husband that you love with everything you have, to know that he has only one other woman on his mind?"

  "I'm sorry." I say full of guilt.

  She shakes her head. Tears fill her eyes. I feel like a home wrecker.

  "Do you remember the Trojan Horse you received at work?"

  I quickly yomp through my brain - it does not take long for me to remember the bizarre package.

  "Yes."

  "That was me - I sent it," she confesses, "you are a very intelligent girl Anile, I thought you would have realized. You may be weak to Elijah's pheromone drug but you are still not stupid."

  So she has already tried to warn me off. She is a smart woman - her tactics sort of impress me. She is definitely Elijah's wife!

  "Why didn't you just tell me who you are?"

  "You knew he was married. You knew he was taken and yet you still indulged in your desires with him." She says with a stern face.

  "I have not had sex with him Jezebel, I swear."

  "Yeah right! You actually expect me to believe that?"

  "I'm sorry, Jezebel. But it's true." I say weak.

  She smiles before she brushes herself off. She eyes Derek and I questionably. She shakes her head and slowly walks towards my apartment front door, but not without another warning.

  "Mark my words Anile; you will regret the day you met Elijah, and not just because of me. You have danced through your life as though you have always been in private, but know this - someone has always been watching you."

  She slams the door behind her so loud I swear it almost comes off of its hinges! Derek and I stare at one another, making sure Jezebel is gone before we speak a single word.

  Once we are sure she's gone, Derek is on me.

  "What the fuck just happened?"

  I swallow hard, leaning against my wall for support. I release a huge breath in relief that she's gone.

  "I have no idea but I intend on finding out."

  I storm over to the kitchen and grab my phone off of the counter top.

  "I need to ring Elijah."

  "Stop; it's only six a.m. Anile."

  "I don't care Derek. I need to know why she's going crazy and telling me that he practically drowns his women!"

  "Anile, she's talking crap." He urges with sympathetic eyes.

  "How do you know?" I frown. "Derek, when I was with him the other night in this strange - well, it does not matter where - he filled a bath and it was bizarre. I also want to know why she's telling me that he is in-fact divorcing her, and not the other way around." I stop to take a breath, mentally registering everything that's happening.

  "You should leave; I'm in no mood for company. Sorry Derek."

  "I am not leaving you and I am not accepting you going back to that job Anil
e."

  "Derek, I'm not a child. I need to speak to Elijah, please."

  "Anile." He whispers, trying to make me understand his motives but I'm in no mood. I give him a hard stare, telling him that this is not up for discussion.

  "I have work at ten anyway." He admits defeat. "If you need me Anile, just call me, anytime, okay? And please, take Elijah with caution."

  "I will." I promise with a tender kiss on his cheek.

  Once he has closed the door, I walk sombrely into my bedroom. Could things possibly get any worse? I wonder painfully as I pace around thinking how can I stop everything from happening. I try to dial Elijah but almost chicken out - can I do this? Yes! Bust that Bastards balls - now!

  I aim to call him as I walk out of my bedroom - into my living area - but my attention is immediately drawn to the shouting in the lobby of my apartment building. My stomach falls ten thousand feet as worry grows inside me. I quickly run to my front door, and once I'm within clear hearing distance, I notice the voices are that of Elijah and Jezebel.

  Chapter Five

  QUIETLY OPENING MY front door, I stand motionless while watching Elijah and Jezebel argue.

  "Why are you not fucking listening to me? I told you to stay away from Anile!" Elijah shouts.

  "Please Elijah, please stop the divorce. I'll be good, I'll do whatever you want, I'll be your submissive please!" Jezebel begs.

  She breaks down to the ground, clutching at his feet. Oh my God! I feel her pain and I feel awful! He bends down to her level and to my surprise, wraps his arms around her, stroking her head sympathetically.

  "Jezebel, things have never worked out for us. You knew the deal when you married me Sweetheart." He tells her, hunching down further to look at her face.

  My tummy pricks with pain for her and tears dress my eyes. What a Nobel man; I thought he was going to continue a screaming match with her but he hasn't.

  "I fell in love with you Elijah." She confesses.

  He bows his head, "you cannot love me."

  "I can - I do!" She pleads.

  Elijah’s driver appears in the lobby, distracting them both. They eye him - Jezebel is annoyed but Elijah looks relieved. His driver is dressed in a sharp black suit - dressed for a funeral, how ironic! I gaze at him - I never noticed his kind face before. He looks so young, and innocent with a wrinkle free face.

  "Mrs. Darks, please let me take you home." The driver gestures with a soft voice.

  “I don’t want to go, please Elijah.” Jezebel begs, crying in his arms.

  I stupidly drop my phone on the floor.

  "Shit!" I gasp.

  It echoes throughout the lobby. Elijah swiftly turns facing me. He catches me lingering by my door. His eyes glaze over before he closes them. He looks gutted that I have witnessed this horrific ordeal. He picks Jezebel up in his arms and my breathing grinds to a halt.

  "Let's get you into the car." He mutters into her ear so sweetly. He rises to his feet and follows his driver into the lift.

  My mouth dries. I feel... kind of jealous. No, no, no! How can I feel jealous? I shut my door in defeat and try to rid myself of these demon feelings. I position myself at the edge of my sofa and start rubbing my face to create some pain, to punish myself for these ridiculous jealousy feelings - it doesn't work. My jealousy is stronger than pain. Maybe if I count the seven deadly sins I will see the light for all the sins I have committed recently.

  “Wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, gluttony. Wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, gluttony.” I chant this mantra over and over, knowing I have succumb to a decent few. I'm not a full blown Christian but I know right from wrong.

  In no time at all, I hear Elijah calling through my door.

  "Anile."

  His voice causes goose pimples to escalade all over my skin. My decision to answer my door is not easily considered. I want to stop everything from spiralling out of control, but I also want Elijah for myself. God I feel sick.

  I steadily get to my feet, knowing I want and need to speak to him - I only wish things were different, easy for a change.

  "You should not be here Elijah - you should be with Jezebel, your wife." I tell him in a clipped voice as I open the door to him.

  "Princess, let me explain." He urges as he gently pushes the door open further. "You should not have had to witness that Anile." He says. His hair is all tussled and glossy. It's not tied back, it's loose and pointing in every direction and falls perfectly around his neck. He looks good - as always!

  "Why is she going crazy? I thought she was divorcing you?"

  "Anile, it is complicated." He raises his eyebrows.

  "I'm sure I can keep up." I snap, crossing my arms in aggravation.

  He walks through to my living area - ignoring my plea. I shake my head as I watch him glide with ease. He sits on a bar stool in the kitchen. I follow him, taking mental inventory of his delicious appearance. Today he wears a silver grey suit - to match my mood I'm sure. His tie is black, silky shiny like his suit. How can he look good in everything he wears?

  "Do you like the flowers?" He says biting his lower lip. He looks a little nervous.

  I peer around my apartment and almost melt knowing this is the kind of gesture I adore. I feel tingly where my heart is, but I also feel awful knowing he had Jezebel order them for me. What a nasty Bastard.

  "I do Elijah. I also know you had your wife order them for me - which I might add is damn right nasty!"

  He doesn't answer me. He looks at me confused which aggravates me to the point of exploding! I give up on the flowers before we go off beat.

  "Please tell me why she is in such a state and why you appear to care for her when you are divorcing her?"

  He smiles. "Has the green eyed monster paid you a visit Princess?"

  I pull out the bar stool next to him and sit facing him.

  "Elijah, please." I place my hands atop of the counter top. I entwine my fingers together before I start biting them.

  He sighs for a long while. He stares at his hands, knotting his fingers together. Damn, he really does look nervous!

  "Jezebel and I married to insure I got my inheritance. We were meant to divorce after my twenty-fifth birthday but she claims she fell in love with me and has not signed the divorce papers."

  I digest his words for a few seconds and wonder, "why does it publically state that she is divorcing you?"

  "I cannot divorce anyone on the grounds of my inheritance. My father likes all aspects of our lives to remain in the family form, Anile. Being a billionaire isn't full of perks." He says impassively.

  "Oh it must be so hard for you Elijah; to suffer such a task of staying married and spending millions - no sorry, billions!" I gasp.

  He lowers his head looking vague.

  "The divorce did not really bother me until I saw you in the cafeteria." He confesses.

  My mouth drops the full twenty floors. I have no words - literally none. My brain has failed and is in need of resuscitation. He gently lifts my chin with his index finger and closes my mouth. Darks flu immediately infects my system. I close my eyes and happily accept the hot flushes. Oh I need this; I need this to wash everything else away.

  "Anile, are you okay?" He whispers.

  I take a large gulp of his spicy scent, indulging in him. I open my eyes and see him just inches away from my face. The sadness of our situation takes over my Darks flu symptoms.

  "I'm not sure. Elijah, you do see how fucked this is, don't you? Your PA - sorry our PA - is your bloody wife, who is in love with you!"

  "She does not love me, she loves her life." He drops his hand from my chin.

  "Why do you think she's not in love with you?" I ask, confused yet curious as to why.

  "What woman could possibly truly love me? I am arrogant, annoying, controlling, obsessive and most of all, a Bastard."

  I almost burst out laughing at how perfectly he has analysed himself but I also feel sorry for him.

  "Oh, do you find this amusing,
Princess?" He asks with a full on shocked expression - his eyebrows almost shoot through the roof.

  "No, no. I'm sorry, it's just - well, your personal description about yourself is outrageously perfect!" I laugh, "but you are also kind, caring - in your own strange way - gorgeous, smart, mysterious. You excite me, and you are entertaining - I enjoy you, Elijah. You are so much more than you give yourself credit for."

  He smiles while biting down on his lip. His eyes are full of lust, they are low and glazed. "You enjoy me, eh?"

  I frown while staring at him - is that all he bloody heard?

  He gazes down at my legs, his eyes are hooded. He's staring like he's hungry while licking his lips. He hunches down a little and suddenly, he slides his hand up my thigh. Burning desire rushes to my sex. Fuck! I tense because of his heated touch.

  "Do you mind if I touch you?" He asks, his hand frozen in place.

  Why does he have to ask such things - he knows I'm already putty in his damn hands! I shake my head, trying desperately not to smile. He gets to his feet and snakes one hand around the back of me. He holds the back of my bar stool and gazes down at me. I cannot look at him, it's too intense! He slides his delicious fingers all the way to my sex and cups me through my pyjama bottoms. I feel my body on the verge of bucking but I hold my breath.

  "Do you know this is the warmest part of your body?" He whispers right into my ear. The warmth of his breath courses down my spine and through my veins. I hold my breath while feeling a euphoric sensation build inside me. I bite my lip.

  "Answer me Anile - you know I do not repeat myself."

  "No, um, I think so." I mutter. I cannot focus with his hands on me!

  He rubs me a little - up and down, sensually. I moan unknowingly because the initial spark that hits my clitoris makes me jump. I grab his hand.

  "That's enough." I say with a pleased smile. Now I want to play with him, test him even.

  "No it's not." He forces.

  He pushes himself between my legs - I don't stop him, I'm weak, ill!

  "Perfection; see how well I fit between your legs Princess?"

  Oh he does fit well - too well! My arms fall limp, I'm putty.